Tynisa Lagail Hicks, a 37-year-old black woman, was shot and killed Saturday, June 7, in the 1400 block of West 104th Street in Westmont, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.
Shortly after midnight, Hicks and her husband were standing in front of their home when a dark-colored sedan pulled up, said Lt. Steve Jauch with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Two black men got out of the car and opened fire at the couple, who ran inside, Jauch said.
Hicks, who was hit by the gunfire, was pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m. at the scene, said Ed Winter, a spokesman with the coroner’s office. Her husband, Anthony Guyton, was not injured.
Guyton said he and his wife had just returned home from celebrating his birthday and were walking inside their home when the shooting occurred.
The couple have three children, including a girl who was planning to celebrate her eighth birthday that day.
"My wife was a beautiful person," Guyton said. "I just lost my best friend. She's gone. Just like an empty hole in my heart. My kids just lost their mother. I have no explanation for that. None whatsoever."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
-- Nicole Santa Cruz and Irfan Khan